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Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 19:23:53 -0400
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From: "DJ Molny" <djmolny@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: [LML] "unsafe" airplanes
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John Halle writes:

> After reading Rienk Ayers' post about IVP's being unsafe I have been
thinking if there
> is any such thing as an "unsafe airplane".  After 15 minutes, I can come
up with two categories:
> airplanes that are grossly aerodynamically unstable or otherwise have
design characteristics that
> make them almost unflyable and airplanes that are so badly maintained that
they have essential gear
> that does not work.  


I suppose that's one way to look at it.  To paraphrase: if the airplane can
be flown at all, then it is not "unsafe" and (by extension) any failure
rests with the pilot.  That's quite a black-and-white definition.

Is stalling in the traffic pattern a pilot error?  Absolutely.  But if
Aircraft A warns of the impending stall and Aircraft B does not, and
Aircraft A allows for a rapid recovery while Aircraft B does not, then
surely we can agree that Aircraft A is safer in that particular situation?
That's why tight rope walkers use safety nets, cars have airbags, etc.,
etc.... as a level of redundancy in case things don't go exactly according
to plan.

I believe that safety is a continuum, and there will never be a common
definition of "safe" or "unsafe", and that's OK.  But let's look at ALL the
factors that affect safety, not just pilot ability.  (Although that pilot
ability should certainly be considered very carefully.)  Obviously different
airplanes place different demands their pilots.  The greater those demands,
the less safe the aircraft is overall, pure and simple.

And on that note, it gave me chills to read that a professional pilot in the
business of high performance training may have (MAY have) spun in during a
classic emergency situation covered by the very training he provided.  If
true, that does not speak well for the L-IV series, nor does it bode well
for pilots with lesser credentials.

Regards,
DJ Molny
Extra 300L N133DF
Rocky Mountain Aerobatic Club